Paper-scoring machine.



W. E. REAVIS.

' PAPER SCORING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED SEPTJT. 19]]. 1,285,378.

Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

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TTET) %ATE% PATENT QFFTE- WINFRED ELMO REAVIS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO PACIFIC LIBRARY BINDING COMPANY, OF 140$ ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORA- 'IION OF CALIFOIRINIAv PAPER-SCORING TEACHINE.

Application filed September 17, 1917.

To aZZ who 11bit may concern Be it known that I, VVINFRED ELMO Rnavis, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, county of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented a new and useful Paper- Scoring Machine, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a paper scoring machine for alternately bending and straightening sheets of paper in order to increase their pliability in the region of such bending; and the primary object of my improvement is to better the opening qualities of oversewn books composed of otherwise inflexible paper.

The value of paper-scoring for such purpose is recognized among binders, and I am aware that a variety of means are now employed to that end; but my improvement is novel in the following and other essential particulars, viz: first, that, instead of providing uniformly recurring reciprocal oscillation between the paper-bending mechanism and the paper-gripping mechanism, it provides uniformly recurring cycles of reciprocation therebetween, the final movement in each cycle being dissimilar from others of the same'cycle and having for its purpose and effect the straightening of the paper from the bend last previously imparted thereto; and second, that instead of engaging the paper in the gripping mecha- I nism so that the papers ends or edges project, it grips only the said ends or edges, and thus, throughout the process of scoring,,preserves these ends or edges unaffected there by, even though they may have been. previously folded, glued into tablets, or otherwise treated.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of my paper-scoring machine, partly in section to show details of operation more easily. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; this also partly in section in order to show the relative position of bending rollers and paper-holding jaws. Figs. 3 to 7 are fragmentary views of the rollers and the paper-holding jaws, intended to show their co-action upon inserted leaves of paper during the operation of the machine.

Patented Nov. 19, 1.918.

Serial No. 191,832.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

The right and left side frames 1 and 1 respectively support the several movable parts of the machine. They are tied together and spaced by means of four rods (ends of which appear at 2, 3, 4, 5, Fig. 2), and they support near their upper extremities the work-holding table 52, and also the bearings 2L4: (Fig. 2), 44 (Fig. 1) that revolubly hold the paper-bending rollers 42, 13.

The head assembly of the machine, consisting of head casting 17, 17 together with rods 19, 19*, 3 1, 34 yoke and other attached portions, constitute an operating unit intended to reciprocate vertically; for which purpose it is disposed slidably in vertical grooves 18, 18 formed inwardly on the side frames 1, 1*; the surface of contact of this unit within these grooves being at both ends ofthe head casting 17, 17 and on the outward faces of the follower blocks 22, 22 the entire unit being driven by the cam wheels 12, 13 acting upon the rollers 15, 15 within their cam tracks.

The cam wheel 12, 13 are keyed upon the main shaft 6, which is rotated by usual drive means; such means include the motor 7; pulley 8 on motor; pulley 9 supported on stud secured in frame 1, this pulley being connected by belt means with pulley 8, and meshing by means of a pinion 9, formed on the hub of pulley 9, with the geared flywheel 10, which inwardly embodies the clutch member 11. This clutch member is of a recognized design keyed to the drive shaft 6 and intended to engage the fly wheel 10 through foot-lever means 24at will of the operator and to automatically throw out through action of spring controlled plate 25 (and hence to stop the drive shaft) at the close of each single revolution.

Cam wheels 12, 13 'are identical exceptthat they are reversed to face each other, right and left. Each of these wheels has an interior cam track 14 (such as is shown more clearly in Fig. 2,) designed to receive a pivoted roller 15. and so shaped as to de-. termine the suitable reciprocation of the head assembly previously referred to. These cam wheels 12, 13 serve also to open the work-holding jaws 27 28 of the head as- It I) sembly, by means of similarly placed eccentric portions of their peripherysacting in conjunction with rolls 16, 16 and other intermediate parts presently described in detail. A view of the eccentric portion of the periphery of cam wheel 13, is shown at 41 in Fig. 2; it is so positioned as to time the opening of .the workeholding-ja ws 275-28 suitably with reference to the reciprocation of the head assembly. Likewise the cam wheels 12, 13 are timed with reference to the clutch mechanism 11, before being keyed to the shaft 6.

I will now describe in greater detail the head assembly previously referred'to. Its topmost member is the horizontally placed casting 17, 17, which, viewed from its front, is a rectangular frame with its center cut away; finished. on its right and .left endsto slidably fit the grooves 18, 18 that are provided in the end castings 1, 1; and finished on its front face to receive the ja\v. plates 27, 28; the upper plate 28 slidably thereon, and the lower plate 27 firmly fixed thereto by means of several screws, as 29. hftcans of vertical reciprocation are provided for the upper jaw plate 28, through the use of rods 3-1, 3st slidably held in vertical holes in the casting 17, 17. Attachment is secured between plate 28 and these rods 3 1, 3 1 by use of intermediate lugs 31, 31", pinned to the rods and screwed to the plate (see screws 32, 32, etc.); the open space in the head casting 17, 17 affording necessary-room for vertical reciprocation of the lugs 31,- 31 m conjunction with the rods 3 1, s ah-d j awplate 28. I

These rodspass through vertical holesin the yoke casting 35, and are secured thereto by means of the nuts 36, 37 ,36, 37 Expansion springs 38, 38*, on rods35l, i3 1, seated against the lower side of the head casting17, 17 exert a downward pressure against lock nuts 39, 39 and serve thereby to draw the rods34i, 34 downward and consequently to keep the work-holding. jaw 28 normally pressing upon the low'erjaw 27 or upon work placed therebetween.

The yoke casting 35 is vertically. drilled at its either extremity to slidably compass-the rods 19, 19 which consequently serve'it as a guide during verticalreciprocation. At a position on the yoke-casting 35 d'irectlyf-Qver each cam wheel (12 and 13), a'pair, flbifurcated downwardextensions (as 41, L42), bored with horizontal holes to receive a spindle 10 and 40 carry each a roller (16 and 16) disposed to rotatefons'ueh spindle. These rollers (16 and 16 acting in conjunction with the eccentric projection on the periphery of each cam wheel (previously referred to; see 41,Fig. 2), serveto open the work-holdingj aws at the appropriate time in the cycle of operations, as already described.

ll :to the 1 27 28, and have their circumference about The remaining elements of the head assembly serve to connect the headcasting 17,

17 withthe cam wheels 12, 13, and consist of the threaded-rods 19, 19 passed through vertical holes in this head casting and firmly secured thereto by means of nuts (see 20,

throughthe roller (15 or 15*) within the cam track of the cam wheel (12 or 13).

It is evident that this cam track, acting by means of'the rollers 15, 15 on the "head assembly of the machine, determines its cycle of vertical reciprocation during each single revolution ofthe cam wheels 12, 13.

The'cycle in'this machine inclucles,[first, a maximum depression ofthe head from its linejof rest equal to 53inch; second, a maxi- 'mumrise from that lowest point equal to inches; third, a maximum depression from that'highe'st point equal to 11 g inches; and fourth, a rise to the line of beginning. Other measures may be'substituted through appropriate changes in'the cams, but I have 'found that the relative movements above described satisfactorily accomplish the desired "bending and'straightening of the paper opv erate'd upon by'the-machine.

I have thus'fardescribedthehead assembly and "drive'imechanism of the machine. There remains only the bending and the "paper to be scored m'u'st-slidably pass before reaching these jaws. I mount the rollers'adjustably (see 14 to 50,"Fig. 2) so as to accommodate material of varyii'ig tl'llh- Q ness between'the rollers l2, 13 and the work- 'h-olding jaws '27 28;"a close adjustment is funnecessary'but it is preferable to position the rollers; for the average thickness of alot "of work. Imount them resiliently .so that if an over-thick bunch of leaves' be fed into themachine, the mechanism will'not' bein danger of 'injurythrough the wedgingof the paper between the jaws and the rollers.

To describe these parts in detail :The'rollers are disposed with their axes paralpaperholding edge 'of the jaws as far apart asthe jaws 27 ,"281can be separated when openedtotheir maximum, 2'. c. 7 approximately i inch. These rollers are turned to smaller diameters at their ends and'ter'minate injbearin-gs formed by means of the blocks 14(F ig. 2) and I l-1, (Fig.1). Thesev blocks are slidably disposed on bolts screwed into flanges inwardly formed on the side frames of the machine.

straighteningrmechanism which consists of (See and 46, Fig. Expansion springs (see 49, 50) firmly press the bearing blocks (see 44), and consequently the bending rollers 42, 43, inward toward the jaw plates 27 28. The view of the machine in Fig. 2, shows the threaded pin 47 passed slidably through a hole in flange 51 of side frame 1, and firmly screwed into the block 44; its exposed end carries the nut 48, movable by wrench means for adjustment. It is evidentthat screwing the nut 48 onto the pin 47 will. act to compress the springs 49, 50 and draw the block 44 away from the work-holding jaws 27, 28. Conversely unscrewing the nut will act oppositely and force the rollers 42, 43 toward the jaw plates 27, 28. It is also evident that a pressure exerted between the jaws 27, 28 and the rollers 42, 43 (c. 9., a bunch of paper of greater than average thickness) will serve to press back the rollers 42, 43 compress the springs 49, 50 and force the bolt 47 a distance through its hole in the flange 51; but when this unusual pressure is removed, the springs 49, 50 will antomatically force the various parts again into their normal position.

Figs. 3 to 7 disclose more minutely the coaction of jaws and rollers upon the paper during the process of its scoring, and indicate sequent steps in one complete cycle of operations. Fig. 3 shows a suitable bunch of paper 53 slidably passed between the rollers 42, 43 and stopped against a portion of the face of head casting 17; jaw plate 28 is ready to close down upon the paper.

Fig. 4 shows jaw 28 closed down and the paper 53 firmly held between jaws 27 28.

Fig. 5 shows head 17 at the lowest point of its first downward reciprocation. As the lower edge of the upper jaw plate 28 is opposite, or past, the center of the roller 43, it is evident that the paper 53 is consequently subjected to practically a right angled bend upward.

Fig. 6 shows the head 17 at the highest point of its first upward reciprocation. 'As the top of the lower jaw 27 is opposite, or past, the center of the roller 42, it is evident that the paper 53 is consequently subjected to practically a right angled bend downward; having arrived in that position through being carried upward by the jaws 27, 28 from the position shown in Fig. 5.

It is further evident that, were the paper 53 now immediately released from the jaws 27, 28, it would retain essentially its bended form on leaving the machine, instead of being flat as is desirable. Consequently the head 17 is next moved downward to the position shown in Fig. 7. Here the top of the lower jaw 27 is somewhat above the center of the roller 43, so that the upward bend of the paper is just enough to counteract or neutralize its preceding downward bend shown in Fig. 6, and to permit the paper to be eventually released practically fiat, but scored.

The final position of the head 17 is reached by a rise from the position just shown in Fig. 7, when it is at rest, as in Fig. 4. Simultaneously with this final rise of the head 17 the upper jaw 28 is raised (as in Fig. 3) and the paper consequently released for removal.

It will be observed that the rollers 42, 43 are normally idle, and that their only motion is a rocking motion back and forth, imparted by the paper 53 when it is brought into contact therewith by the aws 27, 28. F urther, as these rock-rollers do not actually revolve, the present form of construction may be varied by replacing each roller with a rod, bar or formed plate similarly located with regard to its zone of contact with the paper 53. The only imperative feature, whichever construction is used, is thatthe roller, bar, rod or formed plate be so shaped and located as to interpose resistance in the path of the free portion of the paper 53 and cause it to bend sharply against the face of mounted as I have shown, and preferably,

in order to avoid friction, it should be pivoted to admit ofa rocking motion. I prefer the rock-roller of cylindrical construction because that is convenient, inexpensive, can be made of standard stock materials, and is adapted to the rocking motion desired.

For practical purposes, the operator is seated directly in front of the machine with left foot on the stationary rest 24 and right foot on the lever 24, this lever having means connected therewith for the control of clutch member 11. A suitable supply of paper to be scored is provided on table 52, and it is fed into the machine, and removed therefrom, by the operator, sheet by sheet or in convenient bunches as may be desired. For example, a sheet, in folded signatures, in glued tablets, lying on table 52 is pushed forward between rollers 42, 43 and between jaws 27, 28, up to the back stop (which is here a portion of head 17, 17). Clutch 11 is then released for engagement with fly wheel 10 by means of foot pressure on lever 24, this pressure being immediately thereafter removed. Cam wheels 12, 13 are consequently set in action for their cycle of one revolution; immediately the projection 41 on cam wheel 13 passes from beneath roller 16, and permits spring 38 to close upper jaw 28 and grip the paper, (identical parts in relation to cam 12, of course, synchronizoperations previously described, when the projection 41 again comes in contact wit-h roller 16, opening jaws 27, 28 and releasing the paper, for removal by the operator the clutch mechanism being timed to automatically bring the machine to rest synchronously with the opening of the jaws 27, 28.

The particular machine illustrated is, of course, susceptible of modification, and the invention islilnited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A paper scoring machine comprising means to clamp the paper, means in close proximity to said clamping means to bend the paper, means to operate said clamping means, and means for movingsaid clamping means in a rectilinear direction relative to said bending means, but in determinate unequal distances to accomplish the flexing and final straightening of the paper.

2. A means for bending signatures comprising a clamping means for the signature, abending means in operative relation to said clamping means, and means to operate said clamping means in a series of irregular rectilinear movements to flex the leaves and substantially flatten the same.

3. A scoring machine comprising a pair of jaws, a pair of rollersin close proximity to said jaws, means to operate said jaws to a clamp the edge of a signature, and means to reciprocate said jaws while holding the signature clamped sequentially to carry same around one of said rollers a predetermined distance, around another of said rollers a predetermined distance in a reverse direction, around the first roller for a distance less than the original to eliect the straightening, and to return the signature to normal position.

4. A bending machine for signatures com prising a plurality of jaws for clamping the edge of a signature, a yielding bending means cooperating with said jaws, means to operate said jaws to clamp the signature edge, and means to impart irregular movements to said jaws with the signature clamped thereby to bend the signature and substantially straighten the signature.

5. A bending device for signatures comprising a plurality of jaws for clamping the edge of asignature, a bending means for the signature having its central line coincident with the opening between the jaws when the latter are normally in inoperative position, and means to move said jaws with the signa ture clamped thereby, for determinate unequal distances in a straight line relatively to the central plane of said bending means to bend the signature and to straighten the signature.

W. ELMO REAVIS. Witnesses:

STELLA MORSEY, Gno. HERzoG.

Copies of this patent may be obtained-for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner'fof Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

